Wife's Heartbreaking Tribute to Husband Killed by XL Bully Dogs in Staffordshire
Helen Price has paid a deeply emotional tribute to her 'kind' husband, Ian Price, stating she is 'not the same person' after his tragic death. The father-of-two was mauled to death by two XL Bully dogs in a horrific attack that has left his family devastated and the community in shock.
The Fatal Attack in Stonnall
On September 14, 2023, Ian Price was walking his own dogs in Stonnall, Staffordshire, when he encountered one of the XL Bullies loose on the street. In an act of kindness, he began 'shepherding' the dog back to its home address on Main Street. Tragically, the situation escalated rapidly as two dogs escaped from their owner's property and launched a vicious assault.
Neighbors and passers-by desperately tried to intervene, using cars, wheelie bins, and other items to separate the dogs from Mr. Price. His wife, Heather, later told police the animals were 'absolutely ravaging' him during the traumatic incident. Despite these efforts, Mr. Price suffered severe injuries, including critical blood loss and cardiac arrest, and died in hospital that evening.
Owner Sentenced to Five Years in Prison
The owner of the XL Bullies, James Harrison Trimble-Pettitt, aged 33, was sentenced to five years in prison on February 12, 2026. The court heard disturbing details about the conditions in which the dogs were kept. They had no toys, blankets, or proper dog beds, and were able to escape regularly through open windows and unlocked doors from their Main Street address.
During the attack, one of the dogs died after being restrained, while the other was euthanized by a veterinarian inside Trimble-Pettitt's flat. The prosecution, led by Peter Grieves-Smith, highlighted the preventable nature of the tragedy, emphasizing the owner's negligence.
A Life Shattered by Loss
In a powerful victim impact statement, Heather Price expressed her profound grief and the irreversible change in her life. She said, 'That Heather died with Ian. Ian's death shook me to my core. It made me question everything I believed. It ripped away every dream and plan I had for the future.'
She described her husband as more than a spouse and best friend, calling him 'the other half of me—the better half of me.' Mrs. Price added, 'I am lost without him. He was kind and dependable and loved his family fiercely. He was our protector, our biggest cheerleader, and our rock.'
The trauma continues to haunt her, with nightmares about the dogs and her husband's suffering. She lamented, 'There is no peace, no comfort, and no acceptance in a death that was so public and so preventable.'
Impact on Legislation and Community
Ian Price's death was one of several high-profile attacks that prompted the Government to implement a ban on XL Bully dogs in England and Wales. Under the new law, it is a criminal offence to own an XL Bully without a valid certificate of exemption, aiming to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
This case has sparked widespread discussion about responsible pet ownership and animal control measures. The community in Stonnall and beyond remains deeply affected by the loss of a beloved family man, whose memory is cherished by those who knew him.
